AFLW: We predict how the Suns AFLW side might line up in Round 1 with the AFLW draft and trade period complete

With trade period and the AFLW draft done and dusted, we decided to take a way too early look at how the Suns could line up in Round 1 of the AFLW season. FULL PREDICTION.

With trade period and the AFLW draft done and dusted, we decided to take a way too early look at how the Suns could line up in Round 1 of the AFLW season. Pre-season starts next month, giving all 29 players the chance to press their case so we’re willing to wear every inaccuracy for being far too eager. The Suns have recruited a mix of over-age talent and exciting youth which only adds to their depth and made this side extremely hard to pick.

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FB: Jade Pregelj, Serene Watson

HB: Sam Virgo, Lauren Ahrens, Ellie Hampson

C: Bess Keaney, Jamie Stanton, Cheyenne Hammond

HF: Kalinda Howarth, Britt Perry, Kate Surman

FF: Sarah Perkins, Leah Kaslar

R: Lauren Bella, Hannah Dunn, Jacqui Yorston

Interchange: Ali Drennan, Paige Parker, Jordan Hickey, Annise Bradfield, Maddison Levi

Backline: We’re tipping the Suns to go with a tried and tested backline in 2021. Pregelj and Ahrens finished equal runner-up in the club best and fairest and are impassable on their day while Hampson is known for her booming left footy, aggression, and physicality. Virgo lit up the forward line for Yeronga South Brisbane in the QAFLW last year but we like her as a level head and leader down back setting up behind the play. Emma Pittman is still recovering from her ACL injury and might not be ready in time for Round 1 so we’ve gone with Jordan

Hickey as the defensive rotation.

Midfield: The Suns midfield looks set to go up a notch. Jamie Stanton will lead from the front once again and she’s surrounded by three other very capable on ballers in Hannah Dunn, Jacqui Yorston. The Suns have a knack of unearthing over-age talent and we reckon they’ve had their eye on Southern Saints VFLW half-back flanker Bess Keaney to come in and fill the defensive winger void left by the retiring Tiarna Ernst. Cheyenne Hammond slots in on the other wing. Lauren Bella is the obvious choice in the ruck.

AFLW Gold Coast draftees Wallis Randell, 19, Annise Bradfield, 17, Lucy Single, 18 and Maddison Levi, 18. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Forward line: We’re backing Sarah Perkins to have a ripping pre-season and earn a Round 1 nod as a genuine focal point which the Suns were missing last season. It should take the pressure off Leah Kaslar who started the season forward but didn’t have the impact she would have liked after spending most of her career down back. Kalinda Howarth brings genuine X-Factor as an All-Australian while Brittany Perry is a strong target overhead and is the ultimate connection between lines. Kate Surman generally pushes up into the midfield but also uses her tank and gut-running to stream forward.

Interchange: Trade recruit Ali Drennan should complement inside midfielders Dunn, Yorston and Stanton well. Parker boasts run and carry and a fearsome don’t argue. Hickey will serve as a defensive rotation. Annise Bradfield is a balanced midfield who can play inside and out. Bond University teammate Maddison Levi should give Bella a chop out in the ruck after displaying a record-breaking vertical leap at the AFLW combine but is also expected to be a difficult matchup in the forward line.

Others: Molly Ritson, Dee Heslop, Janet Baird, Wallis Randell, Emma Pittman, Daisy D’Arcy, Sally Riley, Lucy Single , Jasmyn Hewett (inactive)

EARLIER: Mystery illness shapes Suns draftee

FOR the past three years, Annise Bradfield has battled an undiagnosed illness that threatened to end her AFLW dream before it had even started.

At inopportune moments, the 17-year-old would collapse unexpectedly and had no idea why.

Her health was a priority and her mystery condition forced her to continually withdraw from sporting commitments.

But Bradfield finally received closure and was diagnosed with a form of epilepsy earlier this year.

Still, despite all the suffering and adversity, Bradfield believes she is a better player because of it.

On Tuesday night, the Bond University star was selected by the Suns with pick seven, their first pick of the AFLW draft and the first Queensland player to be selected – making her the state’s most highly sought after talent in a state-based draft.

Annise Bradfield in action for Queensland. Pic: Supplied.

“I know I wouldn’t be the player I am today without having gone through what I have,” Bradfield said.

“Resilience is something not a lot of players possess so in a way, my illness was almost a good thing because it was something that made me mentally stronger and able to push past barriers.

“It was completely deflating and we had no idea what it was until recently and it made me angry, sad and everything in between but my treatment has been a huge success.”

Bradfield started playing footy for the Labrador Tigers Under-12s side when her neighbour, a Tigers president, asked her if she could help make up the number.

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At the time, she was making state teams for field hockey but fell instantly in love with Aussie rules and decided to pursue it further at the Southport Sharks.

Bradfield played one game for Bond University last year while still balancing junior commitments with Southport before playing a full QAFLW season this year and proving to herself an AFLW berth was within reach.

“You usually see these people as your opponents but then you step back after a game and realise you’ve just competed with the likes of Jamie Stanton, Jacqui Yorston and Emily Bates and think ‘okay I’ve got a shot,’” the midfielder said.

“I spent the year trying to match it with them and run with them and I learned so much off them.

“The step-up made me realise what I wanted to achieve this year.”

With the AFLW draft forced to go virtual this year, Bradfield found out over the weekend that she would be selected first by the Suns when her Bond, junior Sharks, and now Suns teammate Serene Watson arrived at her house with a red and gold guernsey.

Annise Bradfield (right) was surprised with her draft selection by teammate Serene Watson (left). Pic: Supplied.

“It never even occurred to me that it was a possibility (being first picked) so I was completely lost for words and couldn’t put a sentence together,” she said.

“I’ve had to try and contain myself but it was a sigh of relief as well while I still have school commitments so it took a bit of weight off.”

With her year 12 exams just weeks away, Bradfield spent Tuesday at school before celebrating her selection with family on Tuesday night.

The Suns rounded out their AFLW draft haul with Adelaide premiership player Sarah Perkins, Maddison Levi, Lucy Single, Janet Baird, Elizabeth Keaney, Daisy D’Arcy and Wallis Randell.

EARLIER: Pinchin myself

TWO serious knee injuries, a cross-country move, and a family tragedy could finally deliver Beth Pinchin what she has long been seeking – an AFLW contract.

When Pinchin felt her knee buckle from beneath in her first QAFLW match of 2019 against Coorparoo, she thought her AFLW draft chance had passed her by.

Beth Pinchin (middle) pictured alongside Lions players Abby Hewitt (left) and Grace Pearson-Smith (right) would look right at home in AFLW colours. Pic: David Layden Photography.

She also felt that way in 2015 when she live every footballer’s worst nightmare and tore her anterior cruciate ligament.

A bucket handle meniscus tear sounded serious, but at least it wasn’t another ACL.

“Back when I did my ACL, I thought how am I ever going to get back to playing at the same standard again and last year, I had those exact same thoughts,” Pinchin said.

“Sitting on the sidelines put that fire back in my belly and all I wanted to do was get back out there so I kept working hard and it paid off.”

The 24-year-old still ended up missing a year of football but donned her Coolangatta Bluebirds guernsey once more in Round 1 of the QAFLW season in February.

“It was my first game back and I think we ended up playing three games before everything got shut down,” Pinchin said.

“I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent fitness wise so I think the break really helped me as I was able to get more running and strength work under my belt so it worked in my favour.”

In the middle of lockdown, Pinchin and her partner moved to West Australia for work.

It was there they both joined the Swan Districts Football Club, the prior home of their Coolangatta coach Nicole Graves, as football edged closer and closer to returning.

Pinchin quickly earned a reputation and had the likes of Fremantle Dockers AFLW coach Trent Cooper blocking out his Sunday afternoon so he could go and watch the former Suns Winter Series captain in action.

The attention was flattering but on the eve of round 1 of the WAFLW, Pinchin was forced back to Queensland in July when her grandfather fell ill and hasn’t returned to Perth since.

“Who knows what might have been,” Pinchin said.

“The West Coast Eagles coach came down to a few training sessions as well but it’s the sort of thing you’d never imagine happening and I couldn’t process it when I found out the Dockers coach wanted to see me.

“I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason and while it wasn’t the best circumstances to come back in, I was able to play out the season with Coolangatta.”

Pinchin was one of Coolangatta’s prime performers for the rest of the season, resulting in her being invited to test at the AFLW draft combine.

While the oldest player there, it’s a testament to the unearthed talent Pinchin could prove if given a chance by an AFLW club at Tuesday night’s draft.

“It would be incredible if it did happen,” she said.

“It’s always something I’ve dreamt of but I’ve never let it get too close because I didn’t want to ever be disappointed but it would be unbelievable if it came true.”

The Suns hold eight picks in the draft, including the all-important pick seven, meaning the Suns have first dibs on Queensland’s best draft prospect before the Brisbane Lions enter the draft one pick later.

The Suns also hold pick 23, 50, 54, 57, 58, 60 and 61.

The AFLW draft kicks off at 6pm tonight and every pick will be streamed through the AFLW Official App and Facebook Live.